Charter School of Wilmington students raise funds for Kind to Kids Foundation in Halloween Hoopla 5K

A group of Charter School of Wilmington students, including several from the Hockessin area, brought new meaning to the “treat” in trick or treat as they participated in the Halloween Hoopla 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, many in full Halloween costume.

A group of Charter School of Wilmington students brought new meaning to the "treat" in trick or treat as they participated in the Halloween Hoopla 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, many in full Halloween costume.

By running or walking along the Wilmington Riverfront, the teens were among 300 participants who raised $10,000 in support of Kind to Kids Foundation, the Delaware-based organization that provides opportunities to children in foster care and children in need.

"They're kids like us but just don't have a lot of the advantages in everyday life that we can take for granted," said Charlotte Abbott, a Hockessin teen dressed as Cat Woman.

Through a combination of social media savvy and a desire to share good things with foster children, Abbott and the Jefferson Awards Committee of CSW generated a team of approximately 40 students and teachers who took part in the 5K run/walk.

"We just used a lot of the resources we have like our school TV station, newsletters and fliers. And in the end, this will help kids who may not have as much," Abbott added.

Dressed as a witch, fellow Jefferson Awards committee member Kathy Yuan of Newark learned about Kind to Kids when her group contributed toys last Christmas.

"I'll never forget how what we might think is very little can mean a lot to foster kids," Yuan said.

This is the third year for the Kind to Kids Halloween Hoopla and the number of runners and walkers as well as the dollars raised has more than tripled.

"We're thrilled with the turn-out which helps our programs to positively impact the most vulnerable children in our community," said Kind to Kids president and founder Caroline Jones of Hockessin.

Foster children might not be the only beneficiaries. Abbott and Yuan agreed that being involved with Kind to Kids makes them realize how lucky they are.